scholarly journals Determinants and Suitability of Carotenoid Reflection Score as a Measure of Carotenoid Status

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Rush ◽  
Isaac Amoah ◽  
Tung Diep ◽  
Shabnam Jalili-Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Carotenoid Concentration ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Negative Health Outcomes

Carotenoids, orange-coloured pigments found in vegetables, fruit, eggs and dairy foods, act as antioxidants and vitamin A precursors in the human body. Skin carotenoid concentration is a biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake. The aim was to identify determinants of skin carotenoid concentration by measuring “Veggie Meter™” carotenoid reflection spectroscopy scores (CRS) from the fingertip of adults with a range of ages, ethnicity and body size. Frequencies of daily intake of vegetables and fruit and weekly intake of pumpkin and carrot, dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), eggs (yolk), and dairy were determined from a self-completed food-frequency-questionnaire. A total of 571 (324 Women, 247 Men) adults, aged 16 to 85 years, completed measurements. The CRS ranged from 83 to 769, with a median of 327. Women and men did not score differently. For all participants there were negative correlations of CRS with weight (r = −0.312) and BMI (r = −0.338) and positive correlations with weekly intakes of DGLV (r = 0.242) and carrots and pumpkin (r = 0.202). Based on a review of health outcomes associated with plasma carotenoids, 82% of the participants in the current study are at moderate risk, or more, of negative health outcomes. Determinants of carotenoid status were body size, intake of DGLV, carrots and pumpkin, and ethnicity.

scholarly journals Dietary Diversity in Cambodian Garment Workers: The Role of Free Lunch Provision

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Makurat ◽  
Eleonore Kretz ◽  
Frank Wieringa ◽  
Chhoun Chamnan ◽  
Michael Krawinkel
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Garment Workers ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Randomised Controlled

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm. Dietary intake on workdays was assessed by qualitative 24-h recalls at baseline and twice at follow-ups during the period of lunch provision using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline on assessing women’s dietary diversity. In total, 158 participants provided complete data on the dietary intake over workdays at all interviews. Lunch provision resulted in a more frequent consumption of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and oils and fats during lunch breaks. In contrast, flesh meats, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as sweets, were eaten at a lower frequency. Except for a higher consumption rate of vitamin A-rich fruits and a lower intake frequency of sweets, lunch provision had a less clear impact on total 24-h intake from different food groups and was not associated with a higher women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS). A more gap-oriented design of the lunch sets taking into account underutilised foods and the nutritional status of the workers is recommended.

scholarly journals Considerations for the design of nutrition-sensitive production programmes in rural South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Hendriks ◽  
A. Viljoen ◽  
D. Marais ◽  
F. A. M. Wenhold ◽  
A. M. McIntyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Home Consumption

Abstract Background Very little has been researched about the efficacy, effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and impact of food-based approaches on the diets and nutritional status of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity. This study contributes knowledge about the impact of food-based approaches on the diets of populations at risk of hunger and food insecurity in four of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. The study investigated the consumption and production patterns of rural households (278 in summer and 280 in winter) in four sites in the poorest municipalities in South Africa. Methods A multistage stratified random sampling technique was applied to identify the communities and sample households for the quantitative survey and qualitative assessments. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between 2013 and 2015 through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and the two-round panel survey to cover both the summer and winter seasons at each site. Results Home gardening led to a significant positive increase in the consumption of white roots and tubers, dark green leafy vegetables, orange-coloured fruit and other fruit in the 24 h prior to the survey. Participation in a community garden led to significant increases in the consumption of dark green leafy vegetables and other vegetables. School gardening did not demonstrate any statistical relationships with the consumption of foods from the crop-related food groups. Crop production improved dietary diversity. Selling produce and irrigation showed a stronger improvement in dietary diversity. Seasonality affected the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables for home consumption in winter. Conclusions Producing beyond that solely for home consumption has greater benefits for dietary diversity and a consumption-smoothing effect during the post-harvest period. Politicians and the scientific community should recognise the role that household and small-scale crop production plays in supporting household consumption and the provision of essential micronutrients despite constraints and disincentives. Production and education programmes should focus on strengthening existing good consumption patterns and promoting the consumption of foods that can improve dietary diversity.

scholarly journals Lack of improvement in vitamin A status with increased consumption of dark-green leafy vegetables

The Lancet ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 346 (8967) ◽  
pp. 75-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
S de Pee ◽  
C.E West ◽  
J.G.A.J Hautvast ◽  
Muhilal ◽  
D Karyadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Dark Green

scholarly journals Priority micronutrient density in foods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ty Beal ◽  
Flaminia Ortenzi
Keyword(s):  
Goat Milk ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Fresh Fish ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Dark Green

Abstract Despite concerted efforts to improve diet quality and reduce malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies remain widespread globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries and among population groups with increased needs, where diets are often inadequate in iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin B12. There is a need to understand the top food sources of these commonly lacking micronutrients, which are essential for optimal health. To fill this critical knowledge gap, we built an aggregated global food composition database and developed an approach to rate foods according to their density in priority micronutrients. We show that the top sources of multiple priority micronutrients are organs, small fish, dark green leafy vegetables, shellfish, beef, goat, eggs, milk, cheese, and canned fish with bones. Lamb, mutton, goat milk, and pork are also good sources, followed by yogurt, fresh fish, pulses, and teff.

scholarly journals Folic acid and diseases - supplement it or not?

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siaw-Cheok Liew
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Water Soluble Vitamin ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Meta Analyses

SUMMARY Introduction: folic acid is a water soluble vitamin, which is synthetically-produced and found in fortified foods and supplements. Folate is found naturally in plants, such as the dark green leafy vegetables. Folate is not synthesizedde novo by humans, therefore the daily requirements are met from the dietary intake of folic acid supplements or food rich in this vitamin. Folate deficiency could lead to numerous common health problems. Hyperhomocysteinemia and the possibility of malignancy developments are the long term consequences of this deficit albeit contradictory findings on these claims. Methods: the articles included in this review focused on recent updated evidence-based reports and meta-analyses on the associations of the serum folate/folic acid and the various diseases found globally. Results: the benefit of folic acid supplementation in the pre-conception period for the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs) was well established and it was suggested that counseling sessions should be given to women with previous pregnancies affected by NTDs. However, supplementation of folic acid and its medicinal effects in the treatment of other diseases were contradictory and unclear. Conclusion: more detailed investigations into the health benefits of folic acid are needed before it could be recommended for supplementation, treatment or prevention of some of the diseases discussed in this review.

scholarly journals Rising Plasma Beta-Carotene Is Associated With Diminishing C-Reactive Protein in Patients Consuming a Dark Green Leafy Vegetable–Rich, Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) Diet

2019 ◽  
pp. 155982761989495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Schultz ◽  
Gui-Shuang Ying ◽  
Joshua L. Dunaief ◽  
David M. Dunaief
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Community Practice ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Dark Green

Chronic inflammation contributes to a number of chronic diseases and can be assessed with C-reactive protein (CRP). In this longitudinal retrospective chart review, we investigate whether patients intensively counseled to eat a specific diet high in dark green leafy vegetables, and thus high beta-carotene, have reductions in plasma high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP). We term this the Low Inflammatory Foods Everyday (LIFE) diet. Forty-three patients in a community practice instructed to eat the LIFE diet met inclusion criteria. The CRP levels were measured at least twice over the course of up to a year. Adherence to the diet was objectively assessed by measurement of plasma beta-carotene, which is abundant in dark green leafy vegetables, and subjectively by serial interviews. The change in beta-carotene was inversely correlated with change in CRP ( r = −0.68, P < .0001). Additionally, patients subjectively classified as adherent had higher beta-carotene ( P < .0001) and lower CRP ( P = .002) as compared with patients who were classified as nonadherent. These longitudinal findings suggest that adherence to the LIFE diet leads to increased beta-carotene and decreased CRP. Thus, this type of diet may reduce risk or severity of chronic diseases involving inflammation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document